Marek Navrátil from Drahanovice in the Olomouc Region became laureate of the Olga Havel Award 2021. Public Award belongs to Zuzana Nemčíková, who works as a psychologist in the Revenium organization.

Marek Navrátil received the award for his extensive activities in volunteering, fundraising and coordination of the Three Kings collection. He perceives his activity as a life mission, in which he is assisted mainly by excellent colleagues, co-workers and family.

"I am very grateful and I really appreciate all the people I had and have around me. Wife, family, friends, trains of colleagues in Caritas, teachers, doctors, our free society, the church, culture and this world. If we can be considerate of each other, be happy and help ourselves where it is needed, if we can go a long way together, without envy and thrills, then it is good and I considerate it my goal to continue and help it somehow," says Marek Navrátil.

This year, for the fifth time, the foundation awarded the Public Award as part of the Olga Havel Award. The jury identified six nominations that advanced to online voting. Zuzana Nemčíková, a psychologist from the Revenium organisation, won the public award. Despite her repeated oncological diagnosis, she provides psychological help to patients with a similar disease and helps them regain work competencies. Zuzana Nemčíková received a diploma and a stone sculpture "Flame" by the African artist Bester Baureni.

The award ceremony took place in the garden of the St. Agnes Monastery on 14th June, the premises were provided by the National Gallery for this ceremonial occasion. The event was attended by the President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil. The flutist Markéta Stivínová performed at the gala evening. Veronika Sedláčková moderated the event.

Mgr. Miluše Horská, chairwoman of the Social Policy Committee of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic; Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, JUDr. Kateřina Šimáčková, Ph.D., judge of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, and Mgr. Milena Johnová, councilor of the City of Prague, took patronage over the ceremony.

Main Media Partners: Czech Radio Radiožurnál, Deník N

Partners: The National Gallery, Radio 1, ČSOB, Rückl, Minet elektro, Mountfield, Subterra, COPY GENERAL, Volvo Car Czech Republic and Car Průhonice

Acknowledgements at the Olga Havel Award ceremony:

FOR SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

• L´ORÉAL ČR, s. r. o. – for the generous support of the OHF emergency funds to help organisations providing social services during the coronavirus epidemic;
• JUDr. Tomáš Novosad – for regular financial donations from 2016 to the Senior programme;
• Walter Trading, s. r. o. – for 10 years of support for the OHF projects to help people at risk of social exclusion;
• Ladislav Špaček – for multi-year financial support of the OHF projects through Advent concerts of good will organized by Kocián Šolc Balaštík, advokátní kancelář, s. r. o.

FOR RELEVANT COOPERATION

• Pavla Kubálková, reporter of the Czech Television, for cooperation in the promotion of the OHF charity collections;
• Petr Glet – for professional assistance in the valuation of things dedicated to the OHF;
• MUDr. Kateřina Kamarádová, graduate of the Salzburg Medical Seminars – for organising follow-up educational seminars;
• Karel Novák – for cooperation in the Commission of the Housing Support Fund of the OHF, which helps people at risk of losing their housing.

FOR OUTSTANDING PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

• Česká asociace streetwork, z. s., from Prague – for the implementation of quality projects to support social services for people at risk of social exclusion;
• Sdílení, o. p. s., from Telč – for the long-term support of families who take care of their terminally ill loved ones at home;
• Letní dům, z. ú., from Prague – for 24-year support of vulnerable families, foster families and children growing up in institutional care; 
• Oblastní charita Most, operating in western Bohemia – for long-term support of people in an unfavourable life situation;
• Mgr. Bronislava Havlíková, director of the Neratov Special Primary School in Bartošovice - for constructing and commissioning a new school building for children with special needs.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Despite all the difficulties, Maxmilian Koenigsmark (9 years old) teaches us that happiness is about the decision. And that the will, diligence and hope can change the world. The child, who was expected only to lie and not put hands together,  is now a capable wheelchair user. He passes on a good mood to the whole world from his Instagram profile - he has 8 000 followers and shows them that inclusion matters.

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